The COLLEGE APPLICATION is the backbone of all of the information a college/university needs to know about you to assess if you'd be a good fit for their school.

The majority of schools use the Common Application as their application portal. Some schools have an application portal built into their website, and other schools use an application portal called the Coalition App (similar to the Common App). Creating an account on any of these portals is free, but applying to a college/university does have a cost associated with it.
All applications are created and submitted online.

STEP 1: How do I know which application the school(s) I'm applying to uses?

This information will be found on the school's website, or through looking up the school on the Common App or Coalition App. Lists of schools that use the Common and/or Coalition App can be found in links below. If you can't find a school listed there, it's probably safe to say you should apply through their website.

STEP 2: Creating an application account.

The Common Application

Most colleges use the Common Application to collect materials and applications from prospective students. You can create an application using the Common App here.

Here is a full list of schools that use the Common App.

Once you create your Common App account, you will fill out information about yourself regarding your demographics, family, academics, and extracurriculars. This information will be saved and sent to all of the schools you apply to.

Once you fill this information out, you can add colleges to your "list." Some colleges will have additional information they want, which you will fill out on each school's profile in your "college list" on Common App. This information will be sent to that school only, in addition to your Common App profile information.

Applying on a College/University's Website

If a college only accepts applications through a college's website, there will be a special area of the website that says "apply now," usually in their admissions tab.

The Coalition Application

Some schools use an application portal, similar to the Common Application, called the Coalition App. You can create an application using the Coalition App here.

Here is a full list of colleges/universities that use the Coalition App.

Similar to the Common App, you will fill out your initial Coalition Application and add schools you want to apply to, that use the Coalition App, to your application account. You will submit and pay for your application to each school separately.

STEP 3: How much does it cost to apply to schools?

Most schools have a fee associated with submitting an application to them. These fees typically range from $30-$100 per school. Some schools are free to apply.

Think you qualify for a fee waiver? If you qualify for, and submitted, a free & reduced lunch application for '24-25 then you might qualify for a fee reduction or waiver at some colleges.

- - Common App fee waiver terms/conditions.
  - Coalition App fee waiver terms/conditions.